Hawaii Golf Blog

Hawaii Gofers Struggle in first round of Sony Open

2008-01-11T15:15:00.000-10:00

Hawaii golfers struggled in the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii. Tadd Fujikawa the hometown hero shot a +4 while Dean Wilson was +1, Alex Ching was +2 and Parker McLachlin was +3. The projected second round cut will probably be around -1 forcing them to have great days to make the cut.

Fujikawa is still optimistic about his chances of making the cut "I just need to get off to a good start tomorrow." And indeed he will need not just a good start but at least a 5 under par day to make the cut. Last year Tadd made the cut and went on to finish in 20th place so we can just hope lightning strikes again.

2008-01-10T01:03:00.000-10:00

Sony Open in Hawaii Kicks off the the Pro-Am and actual play starting on Thursday. Hawaii's Dean Wilson and Tadd Fujikawa will be playing in the tournament. The above picture was taken at the 2007 Pro-Am and is of Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle and Kevin James and is Hawaii Blogs Photo of the Day.

Tadd invited to Sony but Michelle Not

2007-12-23T17:01:00.000-10:00

The Sony Open 2008 in Hawaii has invited Tadd Fujikawa, who last year became the youngest player in 50 years to make a cut on the PGA Tour as its exemption. Fujikawa has since turned pro and this time will be able to accept any prize money he may receive. Alex Ching got the other exception.

Michelle Wie who has played in every Sony Open since 2004 was not invited even though she is sponsored by Sony. Her swing coach David Ledbetter said "She's not ready to play in that yet... her health is getting better, the confidence is growing... and she's looking to play in one or two Hawaii events against the women.

Michelle Wie Turns Pro

2005-10-05T10:59:00.000-10:00

Michelle Wie let the hundreds of reporters and the world know today that she has turned pro by saying "I'm finally happy to say I'm a pro starting today... The first time I grabbed a golf club, I knew I'd do it for the rest of my life. Some 12 years later, I'm finally turning pro, and I'm so excited". Wie is representated by the William Morris Agency.

She signed endorsement deals with both Nike and Sony totally more than $10 million a year though actual terms were not disclosed. She also pledged $500,000 to the U.S. Golf Hurrican Relief Fund.

Wie will make her professional debut next week on the LPGA tour at the Samsung World Championship, which is an 18-player field at the Bighorn GOlf Club in California. She will next play at the Casio World Open in Japan competing against the men.

Wie finished runner up at the LPGA Championship to Annika Sorenstam and third at the Women's British Open and has also made her last 16 LPGA cuts. If she had turned pro at the start of the year she would have accumulate dover $640,000 placing her 13th on the money list even though she only played in seven events.

The press conference with reporters from around the world went about 20 minutes so Wie could go off to her drawing or Japanese class depending on when she arrives at Punahou. I wonder if she will be treating all her classmates to lunch.

Michele Wie turns pro and everybody wins

2005-10-04T22:05:00.000-10:00

When Michele Wie turns pro, everybody will win. Of course, the LPGA will get a big boost to any tournament she decides to show up at. Advertisers win with more exposure, the networks win with more viewers. Even the men's tour is bound to get a boost as golf fans discover that they can enjoy watching golf tournaments that do not include Tiger Woods.

Golf schools and private instructors will be booked solid with kids that "wanna be" like Michele. The state of Hawaii will surely get more attention as her proud home state. Her school, and I am sure even some of her friends will no doubt get their 15 minutes of fame just because they know her.

Michelle Wie to turn pro

2005-10-04T17:02:00.000-10:00

Well it looks like Michelle Wie is going to do it and turn pro tomorrow signing a contract that would give her about a cool $4 - $5 million from Nike and an additional $4 - $5 million from Sony... all at only 15 years old. There is a huge press conference set up for October 5 at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel where she should make the official announcement. Michelle doesn't plan to play a full schedule but rather select tournments and stand to make her big splash. It is estimated that she will be the highest paid female golf player and one of the higest paid female athletes.